Burner construction for ironing machines



June 3, 1958 J. KlNZELMAN 2,336,910

BURNER CONSTRUCTION FOR mourns MACHINES Filed Jan 15, 1956 Inventor JOSEPH KINZELMAN Aitorneys ilnited States i atent assasro BURNER CGNSTRUQTIGN FUR IRONENG lViACHlNES Joseph Kinzehnan, Northbrook, 111., assignor to Qasway Corporation, Chicago, Ill, a corporation of lihnoxs Application January 13, 1956, Serial No. 558,926

12 Claims. (Cl. 38-49) This invention relates generally to mangles or ironing machines of the type customarily used in commercial laundries and is more particularly concerned with an improved power driven ironer in which the work to be ironed is advanced between a gas heated drum and a plurality of cooperating pressure rolls in engagement with the drum.

Equipment of the type with which the present invention is concerned has generally been characterized by a complexity of construction and an attendant high cost of manufacture. Not the least of the causes of these disadvantages has been the problem of providing a simple, yet eflicient, means for heating the main roll or drum of the apparatus, due principally to the diificulty in providing an adequate supply of air for supporting combustion. Among the prior art attempts to solve this problem have been the use of a pressurized supply of primary air or, alternatively, the provision of a blower means for forcing air into the interior of the main roll. Other attempts to solve this problem have avoided the use of pressurized or blown air by providing somewhat elaborate and costly flue means at the ends of the main roll for exhausting the combustion products. All of these arrangements are featured by the aforementioned dificulties with respect to equipment cost and complexity of construction. 7

It is a primary object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a simple and inexpensive fluid fuel burner means within the main roll of an ironing machine in which an adequate supply of combustion-supporting air is furnished to the burner means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid fuel burner means within the main roll which is characterized by economy of construction, as well as low initial installation and maintenance costs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a main roll heating means which eliminates the use of a pressurized air supply or an air blower or the like.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view, partially in section and partially broken away, illustrating a portion of an ironing machine characterized by the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary and cross-sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 22 in Fig. 1 and showing the interior of the main roll or cylinder;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in Fig. 1 with the end panel of the machine removed in order to facilitate the illustration; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the main roll of the ironing machine of the present invention taken along the line '4-4 in Fig. 2, assuming, of course, that the entire main rollt has been illustrated therein.

Referring now'to'the drawing and, more'particularly, to Figs. 1 and 3 thereof, the present invention is there illustrated as embodied in. an ironing. machine generally indicated at 10. This ironing machine is "disclosed and de ibed in detail in applicants copending application No. 558,927, tiled simultaneouslyherewith and assigned .to the same assignee as the present invention. Briefly considered, the machine 10 includes a pair of spacedapart end sections. 12 and 13 rotatably journaling an internally heated main roll or drum 20 and a plurality of spaced ironing or pressure rolls biased into engagement with a portion of the periphery of the main roll, although in Fig, 1 only one of the ironing rolls 21 is visible. The main roll 20 and the pressure rolls cooperate to define an ironing zone wherein work to be ironed is advanced.

As is conventional in this art, the ironing roll 21 includes an enlar ed central portion covered with cloth or other suitable padding, together with end portions 21a and 21b of reduced diameter. These end portions extend respectively into the end sections 12 and 13 and are journaled by support means 24, illustrated in Fig. 3. The latter support means identical and each includes a bracket or U-shaped frame 27 having a channel therein in which is slidably mounted a bearing member 29 provided with a centrally disposed opening for receiving the end portion of the ironing roll, as, for example, the portion 21!). The channel of the bracket is covered at its upper end by a plate 39 having a central opening therein loosely receiving a threaded rod 33 in order to guide the bearing member in its sliding movement within the channel. A spring 32 encircling the rod 33 and interposed between the cover 3! and the bearing member 29 nor rnally urges the bearing member toward the bottom of the channel order to maintain pressure between each of the ironing rolls and the main roll 20. In order to adjust the latter pressure, there is provided a nut 31 threadedly secured to the rod 33 and having its lower surface in engagement with the cover 30. Obviously, adjustment of the nut along the rod 33 alters the position of the bearing member 2 within the channel and moves the ironing rolls toward or away from the main roll. Each of the support means is connected through a link 34 to a common toggle plate 35. The toggle plate 35 may be rotated by means of an over-center control linkage 36, consisting of a link arm 37 and a bell crank 38, in order to force each of the bearing members 29 upwardly within the channel of its associated bracket 27, thereby moving the ironing rolls in unison away from the main roll and releasing pressure for thepnrpose of adjusting the position of the work in the ironing zone or, as is more common, for removing the work entirely.

The main roll 2%] includes a central portion Zila of relatively large diameter and a pair of hub portions 205 and 200 disposed at opposite ends thereof. The hub portions are connected to the central portion 20a by means of relatively narrow, spaced apart spokes 26d, with the result that both ends of the main roll are substantially open and are communicating directly with atmosphere. As previously indicated, the main roll 2% is heated internally by gas burner means supplied at one end with gas, This gas burner means comprises a fixedly positioned, elongated gas manifold or pipe 43 having a length substantially coextensive with the main roll 29. One end of the manifold 46 is closed by a cap 4-1 supporte in fixed position upon the end section 12. The opposite end of the gas manifold is connected through suitable valving indicated generally at 42 to a gas inlet pipe 43. The inlet end of the manifold 40 is supported by means jmanifoldf'The manifold 40 is preferably positioned somewhattbelow the center of the mainroll so that the tips of 'thebu'rne'rs '45 .will be centrally located; The V burnersj45are of the Bunsen type and are in communication not 'only with the manifold 40, but also with the interior of the main roll 20 through an opening 45a provided in their base. 7

Gas delivered to the manifold 40 passes from the inlet pipe 43, through a solenoid-controlled valve 46 and through; a manually controlled valve 47. The solenoid-controlled valve is automatically operated in-respo nse to a temperature control means indicated generally at 48 which measures the thermalaxial expansion of themain roll. The

. temperature control means is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 558,925 filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Briefly considered, the temperature control means comprises a caliper or micrometer 49 69, respectively, preferably formed of asbestos or other similar material. These heat-resistant strips engage the inner'wall of the central portion 20a of the main roll to provide an effective seal between the chambers 63 and 64.

The open ends of the main roll 20 permit ingress of combustion-supporting air to the chamber 64 which is supplied to each of the burners through the opening 45a in its base. The combustion products created by the consumption of fuelin the burners 45 fiow into the upper carrying a pivot pin 51 on'which is mounted a pivtoed assembly 50. The assembly 50 includes an arm 52 carrying a switch operating member 53 atone extremity and mounting a bifurcated section 54 at its upper extremity. The legs of the bifurcated section 54 carry contact buttons 55 in engagement with diametrically opposed portions of the hub 200 of the main roll. When the temperature of the main roll reaches a predetermined value suitable for ironing, which in accordance with a particular installation of the present invention was found to be 375 Fahrenheit, the main roll has expanded axially by a sufa ficient amount to pivot the assembly 50 until the operating member 53 is brought into engagement with a micro switch carried in fixed position by the caliper 49. With the microswitch closed, an electrical circuit is completed through conduits 56 and'57 and junction box 58 to close the solenoid-actuated valve 46 and shut off the supply of a gas to the manifold 40.

In the absence ofcombustion within the interior of the main roll 20 its temperature decreases slightly, thus causing an axial contraction which results in pivoting the assembly 50 in the reverse direction to open the microswit ch. As a consequence, the electrical circuit leading to the solenoid-operated valve 46 is broken and the flow of gas to the manifold is restored. V In this manner the temperature of the main roll may be 7 maintained practically constant, with only a few degrees of temperature variation being effective to open and close the microswitch controlling the solenoid-actuated valve 46. The manually actuated valve 47 may be adjusted to control the height of the flame emanating from the burners 45. V

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the manifold 40 carries a plurality of longitudinally spaced support brackets 60 which mount a pair' 7 of baflles 61 and 62 effectively dividing the interior of the 1 main roll into a pair of chambers 63 and 64 of'substan tially equal volume. Each of the brackets60 includes a .pair of blocks 65 .fixedly secured as by welding to the manifold, together with a horizontally extending arm 66 protruding outwardly from each side of the manifold 40. The arm 66 is, of course, attached to the bracket 65 at its center and at each end is secured to the baifles 61 and 62 by means of spacer bolts 67. The baffies Hand 62 rest upon the arm 66 and extend horizontally and radially of the main roll 20 throughout substantially the entire length of the enlarged centralportion 20a. Downwardly bent end portions 61a and 62a help to separate the bafiles from the support arm 66 and insure that the bafiles will be located at approximately the center of the main roll,1

in order to provide substantially equal volumes within the chamber 63, by virtue of the fact that these products are draw in the combustion-supporting air. 7

Since the combustion products in the chamber 63 are hotter than the airin chamber 64, a slight difference in pressure exists across the space between the bafies separating the two chambers with the'higher pressure beingpresent in chamber 63. It might be expected that the pressure difference would prevent the combustionsupporting air from reaching the burners 45 and'this might be the case if it were not for the factthat the ends 61 a and 62a of the bafiles are located relatively close to the burners, thus cooperating with theflames emanating 'from the burners to form a blanket isolating the chambers .63 and 64. The'extremely hot gases just above the burners actually produce a chimney efiect as they rise in order to draw the combustion-supporting air into the space adjacent the openings 45a. Moreover, the corner of the baflles formed at the top of inclined edges 61a and 62a is at such height that the turbulent flow of gases within the chamber 63' is prevented from sweeping across the burners and extinguishing their flames. Since the gases within the chamber 63 contain a high proportion of carbon dioxide, theirflow across the burners would prevent proper combustion. V

In View of the foregoing description it will be'recogniz ed that the apparatus of the present invention avoids the use of a blower or a pressurized source to supply combustion-supporting air with the result, that a considerable reduction in the complexity and cost of the equipment is effected. In addition, the apparatus ofthe present invention avoids the creation of an excess of pri- 7 mary air which usually results from theme of a blower;

While a particular embodiment .of the invention has been shown and descr-ibed, it will be understood, at course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is therefore contem plated by the appended claims to cover any such modifica V spirit and scope of: the in-' within said roller. effectively providing a pair of chambers both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, oneof said chambers being inifluid communication with said gas burner means ;to' supply' combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller, and the other of said chambers being in fluid communication with said gas'burner ineans for receiving the products of combustion in order to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of theroller.

2. "T he apparatus defined by claim 1' in which both ends of said roller are substantially open and the chambers 1' are each exposed toatmosphere at both endsof the'roller. 3. In a gas heated ironing machine, a hollow 'cylin drical roller having at least one substantially open end,

gas burner means disposed within said roller, and baifie chambers 63 and 64. The outer ends of the bafiies 61 and V l 62 are covered with flexible heat-resistant strips 68and" means extending horizontally and radially within 'said roller in order eifectively to'divide the interior of the roller into upper and lower chambers, both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means in order to supply combustionsupporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller, and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means to receive the products of combustion in order to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

4. In a gas heated ironing machine, a hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, gas burner means disposed Within said roller, and baffle means supported by said burner means, flexible, heatresistant strips secured to said bafile means and in respective engagement with spaced portions of the inner wall of the roller, thereby effectively to divide the interior of the roller into a pair of chambers, both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, one of said chambers being in fluid communication with said gas burner means to supply combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller, and the other of said chambers being in fluid communication with said gas burner means for receiving the products of combustion and to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

5. In a gas heated ironing machine, a hollow cylindrical roller having both ends substantially open, gas burner means disposed within said roller, and baffle means supported by said burner means and extending horizontally and radially within said roller in order effectively to provide upper and lower chambers, both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open ends of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means in order to supply combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open ends of the roller and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means to receive the products of combustion in order to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open ends of the roller.

6. in a gas heated ironing machine, a hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, gas burner means disposed within said roller, and baffle means carried by said burner means and extending horizontally and radially within said roller, flexible, heat-resistant strips carried by said baffle means and in engagement with the interior of the roller for cooperating with the baffle means to divide the interior of the roller into upper and lower chambers, both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means in order to supply combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burner means to receive the products of combustion in order to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

7. In a gas heated ironing machine, a rotatable hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, an elongated gas manifold disposed within and extending along substantially the full length of the roller, a plurality of spaced gas burners carried by said manifold, baffle means supported by said manifold for dividing the interior of the roller into upper and lower chambers both of which are exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to supply combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open ends of the roller and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to receive the products of combustion and to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open ends of the roller.

8. In a gas heated ironing machine, a rotatable hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, an elongated gas manifold disposed within and extending along substantially the full length of the roller, a plurality of spaced gas burners carried by said manifold and extending upwardly therefrom, radially and horizontally extending baflle means supported by said manifold and extending substantially the full length of the roller, said baffle means being effective to provide upper and lower chambers within the roller, both of said chambers being exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to supply com bustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to receive the products of combustion and to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 in which both ends of said roller are substantially open and each of said chambers is exposed to atmosphere through the open ends of the roller.

10. In a gas heated ironing machine, a rotatable hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, an elongated gas manifold disposed within and extending along substantially the full length of the roller, a plurality of spaced gas burners carried by said manifold and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of radially and horizontally extending baffles supported by said manifold and extending substantially the full length of the roller, a flexible heat-resistant strip carried at one end of each baffle in engagement with the interior wall of the roller, said baflles and strips being effective to provide upper and lower chambers within the roller, both of said chambers being exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to supply combustion-supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with said gas burners in order to receive the products of combustion and to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

11. The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein both ends of said roller are substantially open and each of said chambers is exposed to atmosphere at both ends of the roller.

12. In a gas heated ironing machine, a rotatable hollow cylindrical roller having at least one substantially open end, an elongated gas manifold disposed within and extending along substantially the full length of the roller, a plurality of spaced gas burners carried by said manifold and extending upwardly therefrom, each of said burners having at least one air inlet opening formed therein, radially and horizontally extending baflle means supported by said manifold and extending substantially the full length of the roller, said battle means being effective to provide upper and lower chambers within the roller, both of said chambers being exposed to atmosphere through the open end of the roller, the lower chamber being exposed to the opening in each burner in order to supply combustion supporting air from the atmosphere through the open end of the roller, and the upper chamber being in fluid communication with all of said gas burners in order to receive the products of combustion and to exhaust the same to atmosphere through the open end of the roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,544 Myers July 27, 1954 

